Titles include 1945s thrill of a romance, 1947s fiesta and this time for keeps, 1950s pagan love song, 1952s million dollar mermaid, and 1953 s easy to love. She even used this for the title to her biography book. An american beauty and swimming champ, she was hired at mgm in 1941 at age 18, and from then on starred in two or three thinly plotted swimming musicals a yearmovies with titles like neptunes daughter, million dollar mermaid, easy to love, and take me out to the ball game. Million dollar mermaid 1952 esther williams interview duration. The film ends on a real downer, dont worry all ok in real life. Digby diehl is the coauthor of the million dollar mermaid, the astoldto autobiography of esther williams. Celebrating hollywoods mermaid, a 1950s aqua musical star. Find video, photos, forums, blogs and shop for some of the best movies ever made only at tcm. Her inevitable role was the pinup you could pin up at home, and it. My fabulous film of the 50s is million dollar mermaid starring esther williams as reallife australian swimming star annette kellerman.
An excerpt from dangerous when wet 1953 appears in the tender trap 1955, starring debbie reynolds and frank sinatra. Those who have watched and enjoyed the film million dollar mermaid only know a small part of the tale. My fabulous film of the 50s is million dollar mermaid starring esther williams. Million dollar mermaid wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre. Million dollar mermaid also known as the one piece bathing suit in the uk is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star annette kellerman. On an island with you 1948 official trailer esther williams, peter lawford movie hd duration. Turner classic movies presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from one of the largest film libraries in the world. Easy to love 1953 swimming through the flowers duration. View historical and todays current inflation rates, using the cpi provided by the united states government. The music score was by adolph deutsch, the cinematography by george folsey and the choreography by. Katherine demille quinn acceptor, supporting actor for anthony quinn, cecil b.
Im thrilled to be participating, and its been great to read all the wonderful entries. Million dollar mermaid is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star annette kellerman. It starred an ensemble cast of americas new comic talent. Tcm 31 days of oscar million dollar mermaid michelle. In 1952, williams appeared in her only biographical role, as australian swimming star annette kellerman in million dollar mermaid, which went on to become her nickname while at mgm. Million dollar mermaid written by the late esther williams came out in 1999.
The film was written by manuel seff and james seymour based on a story by robert lord and peter milne, and was directed by lloyd bacon, with musical numbers created and directed by busby berkeley. Rent million dollar mermaid 1952 on dvd and bluray netflix. Until its complete destruction in 1929 sugar loaf rock was a defining geologic feature of catalina islands tranquil avalon bay. Esther williams secured her status as americas swimming sweetheart with million dollar mermaid 1952, a story loosely based on the reallife australian swimmer annette kellerman. It premiered on september 30, 1933, with a general release on october 21. After overcoming polio, kellerman achieves fame and creates a scandal when her onepiece bathing suit is considered indecent.
She was a key researcher and scriptwriter for the original mermaid, a documentary on annette kellermans life. During her heyday, williams brand of swimming adventures were highly formulaic, escapist fare and i say they hold up extremely well in all their wacky aquatic acrobatics. Gracing the western most point of the bay, the conical rock ascended more than 50 feet into the air and served as a marker for navigation and as a place of interest and exploration for island visitors. Film star williams reveals all, including how every hair and eyelash remained in place during the spectacular water ballets that were the core of most of her movies. Million dollar mermaid 1952 letterboxd social film.
Playing chrome dinosaur game, but every like makes it faster world record. This is my contribution to the classic movie blog associations fabulous films of the 50s blogathon which runs may 2226. Thalberg memorial award, and gloria grahame supporting actress winner, the bad and the beautiful. Berkeleys works used large numbers of showgirls and props as fantasy elements in kaleidoscopic onscreen performances. The storyline was adapted from the novel of the same name by william r. Natural beauty, timeless elegance and uncompromising quality inspire our world and this is reflected in our swimwear. Dangerous when wet 1953 swim with tom and jerry duration. Demille winner, best picture, the greatest show on earth and recipient, irving g. In million dollar mermaid, williams plays annette kellerman, a reallife australian swimming star who took up the sport as a child to strengthen her legs, which were severely weakened by a birth. Million dollar mermaid official trailer 1952 youtube.
More than two years since the first volume was released, warner home video has cherrypicked some more films from mgm mermaid esther williams canon, under their tcm spotlight banner, for the esther williams. Esther williams visiting marlon brando on the set of julius caesar, 1953 maisie. As the film was based on fact, million dollar mermaid 1952 broke with tradition in that all of its musical numbers are compressed into one section of the story, during kellermans tenure in new yorks legendary hippodrome water tank. Esther williams was a teenage swimming championturnedmovie star for the. Unable to compete in the 1940 summer olympics because of the outbreak of world war ii, she joined billy roses aquacade, where she took on the role vacated by. Posts about million dollar mermaid written by jnpickens. The name of one of her most popular films, million dollar mermaid would stick. Spain 24 january 1955 barcelona spain 28 june 1980 tv.
In million dollar mermaid, esther played annette kellerman who in 1907 was arrested on a boston beach for wearing a shocking onepiece swimsuit that revealed her arms and legs. Esther williams, hollywoods mermaid, who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy mgm musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. The million dollar mermaid journeys in classic film. Past exhibitions catalina island museum avalon, ca. With esther williams, victor mature, walter pidgeon, david brian. An aquatic performer tries to attract the man she loves. Esther williams, swimming superheroine chandelier creative.
In a routine designed by berkeley, williams did a swan dive. This was the final featurelength film directed by richard fleischer. Little caesar is a 1931 american precode crime film distributed by warner brothers, directed by mervyn leroy, and starring edward g. It was directed by mervyn leroy and produced by arthur hornblow jr. Emily gibson is a freelance writer, researcher, producer, and playwright.
A keen athlete, esther performed all of her own stunts including a waterskiing spectacular while pregnant in 1953 s easy to love. Williams was one of the best competitive female swimmers of her day, and after becoming a movie star she. Water ballet show at the hippodrome from the movie about anette kellerman million dollar mermaid, starring esther williams. Million dollar mermaid is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star. Million dollar mermaid 1952 turner classic movies tcm. Barbara firth is annettes authorized biographer and was the coordinator of the sydney opera house archives of theatrical memorabilia in the 1970s, where she first met annette kellerman and acquired her personal. Our designs blend classic cues and vintage shapes with abstract forms and expressive colours. Footlight parade is a 1933 american precode musical film starring james cagney, joan blondell, ruby keeler and dick powell and featuring frank mchugh, guy kibbee, hugh herbert and ruth donnelly. November 29, 1895 march 14, 1976 was an american film director and musical choreographer berkeley devised elaborate musical production numbers that often involved complex geometric patterns. The only draw back that i could find would be she leaves out her life from late 80s to the time her bio.
Sep 07, 2015 the million dollar mermaid a few weeks ago i watched my first esther williams film, dangerous when wet 1953. Thats basically what ive been shouting from the rooftops ever since i started learning about esther in 20, after her death at the age of 91 encouraged me to take notice of the remarkable life and career of the woman deemed the million dollar mermaid. Apr 28, 2016 water ballet show at the hippodrome from the movie about anette kellerman million dollar mermaid, starring esther williams. Gracing the western most point of the bay, the conical rock ascended more than 50 feet into the air and served as a marker for. That was when i was first exposed to esther williams and million dollar mermaid was one of the movies that was shown that left a major impression on me. Biopic of australian swimming champ and entertainer annette kellerman. Robinson, glenda farrell, and douglas fairbanks jr. Million dollar mermaid also known as the one piece bathing suit uk is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star annette kellerman. If your an fan of classic film actresses this would be an good read.
Foi dirigido por mervyn leroy e produzido por arthur hornblow, jr. Williams was the million dollar mermaid, a nickname that stuck with her and that she chose as the title of her autobiography. Williams swam her way to stardom in such pictures as bathing beauty 1944, neptunes daughter 1949 and million dollar mermaid 1952 the audience response to the athletic allamerican girl was phenomenal as mgm put williams career into high gear. Esther williams is best known for her starring roles in mgms aquatic musical films of the 1940s and 1950s films which are often credited with introducing synchronized swimming to the world but she was a pioneer in many other ways as well. Jun 06, 20 esther williams, hollywoods mermaid, who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy mgm musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. See more ideas about esther williams, million dollar mermaid and ester. Well, she called her 1999 autobiography the million dollar mermaid. Million dollar mermaid 1952 the blonde at the film. Actress and champion swimmer esther williams starred in spectacular and splashy mgm musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Million dollar mermaid premiered in december 1952, and in january esther williams was voted the number one female movie star in fifty countries by the hollywood foreign press association the golden globe people.
Kimbell gage, born in 1950 and susan gage, born in 1953. Million dollar mermaid 1952 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Bathing beauty was second only to gone with the wind as the most successful film of 1944. The movie, full of romance, music, and dazzling underwater spectacles, remains one of the definitive films of williams career. Esther williams youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion.
Rent million dollar mermaid 1952 starring esther williams and victor mature on dvd and bluray. He issued me a complete credit within a couple of days, and did not require me to return the product to him. Million dollar mermaid 1952 turner classic movies tcm will pay tribute to legendary film star and swimmer esther williams with a 24hour marathon of films beginning thursday, june, at 8 p. May, 2011 million dollar mermaid also known as the one piece bathing suit uk is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star annette kellerman. Mar 08, 2015 underwater ballet million dollar mermaid duration. This film is a biography of australian swimming pioneer annette kellerman, and like most of williamss films, it contains plenty of aquatic extravaganzas.
Rent million dollar mermaid 1952 on dvd and bluray. The red hot chili peppers used scenes from esther williams films such as million dollar. The press portrayed me as a kind of postworld war ii version of martha stewart the mermaid tycoon, as i was dubbed on the cover of life. Esther jane williams august 8, 1921 june 6, 20 was an american competitive swimmer and actress. With esther williams, van johnson, tony martin, john bromfield. Esther williams esther williams movies, ester williams. Honorary foreign language film award special award. Seven reasons to see easy to love 1953 indiana university. The million dollar mermaid a few weeks ago i watched my first esther williams film, dangerous when wet 1953.
The film tells the story of a hoodlum who ascends the ranks of organized crime until he reaches its upper echelons. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film. Million dollar mystery also known as money mania is a 1987 american film released with a promotional tiein for gladlock brand bags. Esther williams in million dollar mermaid 1952 walter pidgeon and donna. The movie, full of romance, music, and dazzling underwater spectacles, remains one of the definitive films of. Million dollar mermaid is a swimwear label of style and integrity for sophisticated, free spirited women. Even as young as i was at that time i knew i was watching something completely magical and wonderful. Spain 16 september 1954 madrid turkey october 1954. In 1952, williams made what is probably her bestknown movie, million dollar mermaid, for which she won a golden globe award. Glamorous, amphibious esther williams portrays the reallife aquatic star in a splashy biopic costarring victor mature and loaded with stunning spectacle including a mustsee busby berkeley masterwork. Jan 01, 2005 im completely amazed at the accomplishments of ms kellerman. Million dollar mermaid also known as the one piece bathing suit uk is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of. Folsey received a 1953 oscar nomination for best cinematography. From 1945 to 1949, williams had at least one film listed among the 20 highestgrossing films of the year.
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